Everything You Need to Know About Adding Borders to Your Quilt
Whether you’re a beginner quilter or a seasoned pro, adding the perfect border is an important final step to finishing your quilt. Borders really help frame and finish off the quilt design. From my experience, borders can either make or break the overall look. So in this article, I’ll share all the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years to help you select the right border style and add it successfully.
Why Add a Border?
Borders basically serve a few key purposes. First, they help finish the raw edges of your quilt top and give it a polished, finished look. Without borders, the quilt edges can look kind of unfinished and ragged. Borders also allow you to incorporate more fabric and patterns into your design. They’re a great way to tie additional colors or motifs into your quilt. At the same time, borders help define the quilt design and draw attention to the center quilt block or medallion. Kind of like a picture frame emphasizes the artwork.
From my experience, the right border can totally transform a quilt. I’ve seen some quilts that were sort of “meh” until the quilter added just the right border. Then it all came together and really popped. So in that sense, borders are kind of like the icing on the cake!
Deciding on a Border Style
The first step is figuring out what type of border will suit your quilt best. There are basically four main border styles to choose from:
- Straight, or squared borders – These are simple straight strips of fabric sewn to the quilt edges. Straight borders work well for more traditional, geometric quilt patterns.
- Scalloped borders – As the name suggests, these have a gentle curved edge that adds visual interest. Scalloped borders complement Softer, organic quilt designs well.
- Round borders – For a more unique finish, try circle-shaped borders. They look especially nice on quilts with a circular or radial design element.
- Cornerstone borders – These feature larger quilt blocks or motifs at the quilt corners. Cornerstone borders help emphasize the corners in a fun way.
Take a good look at your quilt center and think about the overall design aesthetic. Will straight borders let the crooked patchwork really shine? Or might scalloped edges spice things up? You want the border style to complement and enhance the quilt design.
Selecting Fabric for the Border
Next up is choosing fabric for your border. This is sort of the make or break decision, in my opinion. A badly matched border fabric can seriously tank an otherwise awesome quilt. But the right fabric choice can lift a quilt to the next level. Some guidelines:
– Consider scale – Bold prints may overwhelm a small quilt while finer prints get lost on a larger one. Scale the print size to the quilt size.
– Focus on value – A border in a shade noticeably lighter or darker than the quilt center won’t blend in harmoniously. Try to match the general value.
– Tie in colors – Incorporate colors that were already used elsewhere in the quilt for continuity. But also consider adding one new accent color to the border.
– Consider texture – Mixing print scales is fine, but avoid drastically different textures like super smooth against a rough homespun. They may not play nice together.
– Use borders to add variety – Borders are a great way to work in additional fabrics, motifs or designs you couldn’t otherwise incorporate into the quilt center.
With those tips in mind, carefully audition potential border fabrics by laying them against the quilt center until you find “the one.” Trust your gut on this – if it doesn’t feel right away, keep looking!
Measuring and Cutting the Borders
Alright, so now it’s time to start putting fabric to quilt! First things first, you gotta measure accurately. Lay the quilt flat and use a tape measure to record the length and width of each border side – top, bottom, left and right. Be sure to measure at least 1/4 inch past the raw quilt edges for seam allowances.
Then, it’s time to start cutting your border fabric. For straight borders, you’ll cut border strips the exact length you measured for each side. When cutting corners for cornerstone borders, cut oversized triangular pieces and trim them to fit after piecing.
The key thing here is to take your time measuring and cutting accurately. I once cut my borders a little short by mistake – not a fun problem to solve! Double checking measurements will save you frustration further on.
Piecing and Sewing the Borders
Okay, this next step might seem obvious but I’ve seen plenty of quilt newbies struggle with it – you attach borders one side at a time. Trust me, trying to do the whole border at once is a recipe for disaster and disappointment.
My method is to start with the top border. Place the cut border strip right sides together with the top quilt edge and pin seam allowance to seam allowance. Then just stitch, using 1/4 inch seams, as usual. Press the seam allowances toward the border.
Repeat this simple process for the bottom border, then the side borders. I like to hand-baste the side borders in place if they’re long to prevent stretching as I sew. Once all sides are attached, you’re ready for the final pressing and finishing touches!
Speaking of pressing, don’t skimp on this important step. Properly pressing as you go wards off lumpiness later on. Here’s where dryer sheets come in handy for preventing pressed-in wrinkles. Give all seams and border-quilt intersections a good press before moving to the next side.
Finishing Options
Once your borders are fully attached, you have a couple final options to really make the quilt shine:
Binding: As with any quilt, I recommend a 1/4 to 3/8 inch double-fold binding to finish the raw edges. Binding pulls the whole quilt together like the pretty bow on a gift. Definitely take the time to bind with care for a super polished look.
Batting and backing: On some quilts I like adding an extended batting and backing into the borders too. This helps the borders look integrated into the full quilt sandwich rather than just stuck on strips of fabric. It takes things to the next level, bascially.
Labeling: Consider including your name, date, and any other details that reflect your quilt’s story. A custom label or hangtag is a nice bonus that future owners will appreciate. It adds that personal touch!
Hopefully this comprehensive border tutorial has covered everything you need to know to add beautiful borders to your next quilt, whether you’re a beginner or expert. Feel free to experiment as you go – that’s often how we quilters discover fun new techniques. Happy finishing and happy quilting!
Quilt Border Considerations
| Border Type | Best For | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Binding | Simple, clean look | Narrows raw edges and conceals seams by stitching a piece of fabric around the perimeter. |
| Bias Strips | Showcasing fabric details | Cut fabric strips on the bias for a ruffled, loosely pleated effect that highlights prints and textures. |
| Panel | Structural support | Wider than a binding, stabilizes the quilt and provides an area to personalized with embroidery or appliqué. |
| Integrated | Coordinated look | Incorporates border fabric into the quilt design for a seamless appearance. |
| Custom | Statement piece | Choose an eclectic fabric or embellish plain fabric to create a memorable finishing touch. |
FAQ
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What materials are needed to add borders to quilts?
Basically you need fabric, thread and a sewing machine. The border fabric can be pretty much any type you want – it doesn’t need to match the quilt perfectly. Stitching it on takes some sewing skills but isn’t too tricky if you focus.
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How wide should quilt borders be?
Quilt borders come in all widths from a 1/2 inch wide to a couple inches or more. Generally the rule is not to overpower the quilt with a border that’s too beefy. Yet a border that’s too narrow may seem stingy. We’re talkin’ one to three inches wide usually does the trick.
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What’s the best way to attach borders?
Most quilters start by pinning the border material to the quilt at the corners to get the placement right. From there it’s just straight stitching, end to end, remembering to back tack at each corner to secure it. Some quilters serge the raw edges first for a clean finish. Others just fold them under and stitch.
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Should borders match the quilt exactly?
Nah, borders don’t necessarily need to be identical to the quilt fabric. A little variety is kind of interesting. You can pick a border color that complements the quilt without copying it directly. Or use a print that echoes one in the quilt center but isn’t the same. Go wild!
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What if the quilt width isn’t even after adding borders?
Good eyes! You’re right, sometimes the dimensions don’t quite square up after adding borders. Usually you can just tweak the border width on one side to even things out. Or if it’s a smidge off, basic quilting math tells us no one will actually notice. Try not to stress about pixel perfection!
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Any fun border ideas beyond plain fabric?
Sure, borders open up lots of chances for creative expression. Ruffles, pinch pleats and scallops add textural interest. You can frame the quilt using a contrasting bias tape or ribbon. I’ve seen folks get fancy using scraps to piece the border fabric like a mini quilt. The options are limitless if you look for inspiration beyond what’s “normal.”
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Is adding borders worth the effort?
That’s a reasonable question! Borders do take extra time and materials. But in my view, they really finish off a quilt and make it look polished and professional. A border nicely frames the main design and adds visual appeal. It draws the eye inward to experience the heart of the quilt. So while it requires work, framing a quilt with a border is well worth it to boost the overall presentation. Your time pays off!